Presidents Rule from 4/3/2005 to 3/9/2005 i.e the first six months is time opportune for the Governor of Goa to have a "re-look" at the various departments under the Government of Goa.
These Departments function under some or the other Acts and Rules (Indian and of Portuguese origin still in force). It is these laws that need to be given a fresh look to ensure that loop holes deliberately retained by the "law makers" viz the politicians, to reek in "money to fill their own coffers" are struck down through ordinances issued by the Governor. The Administrative Reforms Department is expected to ensure the rot that has set in the bureaucracy is weeded out to make the administration people friendly and not act as spokes in the smooth running of the wheels. Yet most of the Administrative reforms lie in the Department racks filled with dust and cobwebs. There is a need to re-examine the reports. There are several senior bureaucrats who have retired from Goa Government service but had the good fortune of working in the early years post liberation. During an interaction with some of them in Panaji and Margao (they are members of the Senior citizens forum)they have been able to provide a fund of knowledge. Infact suggestions that they would dread to talk of while in employment is now freely available. The Goa Governor could throw open an offer to these senior bureaucrats who are essentially "GOAN CENTRIC" (inclusive of non Goans who have made Goa their home) to come forward to constitute a "think thank" to assist the Government each in the fields as classified in the tentative groups listed below to ensure that necessary changes are brought about to make the laws and thereby the administration people friendly. A case in point is the---- Planning Development Authorities introduced in the early 80's by then INC, CM Pratapsing Raoji Rane, despite opposition from ex MLA Mr Roque Santana Fernandes highlighting the loopholes it continued on the statute book. Now after the years of corruption, bottle necks, hardship to the common man, irregularities, scams, downfall of successive governments in the 90's, ironically it is the same INC CM Mr Pratapsing Raoji Rane who in one stroke disbanded the PDA's on 4/2/2005 making this his first act in his 5th term in office. There could be several such laws and administrative procedures which need to be eliminated and therefore a time bound programme say by beginning of the next fiscal year April 2005 the Governor could with his extensive knowledge in Administrative matters breathe fresh air into day to day governance. He could also get some of the experienced hands from his native State of Nagaland who are well versed in these matters and run the Administrative Training centres in Nagaland to lend a helping hand. It must be remembered that the Portuguese law contained less of "if" "may" "shall" and discretionary powers, that are the cause of todays ambiguity which suits the corrupt bureaucrat. There is no provision of "suo moto" action in most Indian laws and hence the bureaucrats are not accountable for their deeds or misdeeds. The fact that the Courts account for 70% of the cases involving the Government clearly speaks volumes for the fact that it has become easy for the bureaucracy including the quasi judicial bodies ---to take arbitary decisions and expect the common man to fend for justice in the Court of law ---- such is the malaise that has affected the administration, in a State where citizens have always high high regards for the "rule of law" a bit of regimentation and a disciplined way of life. While on the subject it must be noted with concern that till this date --- the judiciary has not pulled up any officer for dereliction of duties--- it is the humble opinion of many and netizens will agree that until one sees the bureaucrat put in jail even for a day a message will run loud and clear for them to behave. Unfortunately for Goa and Goans the Secretaries are all non Goans the Jt Secretaries / Directors of various Deparments still continue to be non Goans and most of the kith and kin of the deputationists of the sixties have found emplyment in Goa government. The irony is that we are still ruled by the rest of India, niether do we have Goa centric officers nor do we have Goa centric politicians and this is our misfortune, which the Governor of Goa can be expected to address. For in his own State of Nagaland the sixteen major tribes and sub tribes have also suffered the pangs of influx of outsiders slowly but surely. The Goans are indeed grateful to have an IAS official who had an earlier stint in Goa Ms Kiran Dhingra as the Chief Secretary and Goans look forward to her tenure in Goa to make the administration people friendly. Immediately after taking office she has already promised to update the various websites of the Government of Goa, the Citizens Charters , give wide publicity to the rules and procedures of governance, the various schemes which often remain on paper. There is a request from citizens that this writer has contacted that the details of the beneficiaries of the Pensions, the cyberage, self employment scheme, pre-employment training scheme scholarship scheme be put on the website --- preferably constituency wise or taluka wise. This is already available with the Departments concerned and with a little assistance from the National Information Centre collating and posting this information will not be difficult. Senior bureaucrats that this writer had a telephonic talk with agreed that this would be possible. In one stroke there will be transperency, those who have illegally benefited will surrender and justice and fairplay will be ensured. There is also one request that the citizens have been pressing for --- there are a number of Government employees belonging to one family (or husband wife duo or brothers/sisters who were strategically placed in related departments (mostly revenue) this was done at the behest of politicians to ensure their writ runs through. The Governor could direct the Chief Secretary to conduct a discreet enquiry into all such cases and order their transfers. Similarly though successive Governments have transferred officers staff "unfriendly" to the administration they have never touched the dealing hands who have stagnated for years in one department. For a start the Governor could take the Revenue Department as a case study. Meanwhile the netizens could offer suggestions to the Governor [EMAIL PROTECTED] and Chief Secretary [EMAIL PROTECTED] It is interesting to note that the State Advocate General is has a profound knowledge of laws of Portuguese origin and he would do well to advise the Governor on plugging some loopholes especially with regards to the Communidades, the Khazan lands Kumeri cultivation and Mining leases which have destroyed our land and its people. There is also a desire that the Governor should visit all the villages of Goa to understand at first hand the needs of the people. Such visits should be announced well in advance so that the people (not politicians ) come forward to voice their genuine demands. A) Environment B) Agriculture Animal Husbandry Fisheries Forest Park & Gardens Irrigation C) Power Non Conventional Sources of Energy D) Rural & Development & RDA Industries Mines E) Science & Tech Information & Technology Education, Art & Culture Higher Education Technical Education Official Language Sport & Youth Affairs F) Employment Labour G) Public Health Public Assistance Social Welfare Food & Civil Supplies Housing Housing Board Co-Operatives H) Revenue Town & Country Planning Panchayati Raj & Community Development Urban Development Public Works I) Inland Waterways Transport Airports J Law & Judiciary Legislative Affairs K) Public Grievances Vigilance Weights & Measures L) Administrative Reforms Printing Stationery M) Information Protocol General Administration Personnel Home N) Finance Planning This list is only a tentative one and could be modified for better co-relation. The Governor should also ensure that agriculture is revitalised by looking into the report of NABARD which spoke of the difficulties in introducing certain schemes in Goa due to land fragmentation and landholdings tenant/mundcar problems. The other is the matter relating to the Building industry which is functioning without a law to save the Apartment owners (a Bill prepared by then MLA Ramakant Khalap and Adv Radharao Gracias lapsed due to the adjournment of the House this needs a fresh look) GODFREY J I GONSALVES Borda Margao Goa. [EMAIL PROTECTED] ________________________________________________________________________ Yahoo! India Matrimony: Find your life partner online Go to: http://yahoo.shaadi.com/india-matrimony ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> Give the gift of life to a sick child. Support St. Jude Children's Research Hospital's 'Thanks & Giving.' http://us.click.yahoo.com/lGEjbB/6WnJAA/E2hLAA/0FHolB/TM --------------------------------------------------------------------~-> http://www.goa-world.com http://www.live365.com/stations/61664 Live Konkani Music http://www.mahableshwar.com/ Addresses: Post message: [email protected] Subscribe: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe: [EMAIL PROTECTED] List owner: [EMAIL PROTECTED] URL to this page: http://www.yahoogroups.com/group/gulf-goans Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gulf-goans/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
